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Headlight dimmer button

Old Feb 5, 2008 | 11:32 AM
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Headlight dimmer button

Truck: 77.5 F-250

Problem:

At various times while driving with the headlights on the headlights will flash on and off.

I replaced the high/low beam floor button with a new one, but still have the problem. Sometimes if I kick/hit the button when they go off I can get them to come back on for a bit.

Is it possible that the problem is the wire connector where the button plugs into? If so where can I get a new one? I looked at a replacement connector but it replacement one only had 3 wires and I believe the one in the truck has more wires going into it.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 02:01 PM
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Are you running Halogen headlights? They may be drawing too much current for the small gauge wires causing the headlight switch to overload and cutting off. If no Halogens then could be your headlight switch.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 02:04 PM
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It could be the plug like you say. Your dimmer switch only has 3 terminals correct? Does your original plug have three terminals, but has two wires on one terminal? If that's the case, you can tie the two wires onto the new one wire going to the new plug.

If the headlights flash in a rhythmic pattern, then it might be a loose connection at the headlight switch plug, causing the circuit breaker in the headlight switch to heat up and go on and off. Also make sure you do not have any other lighting tied to the headlight circuit.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by merlynr
Are you running Halogen headlights? They may be drawing too much current for the small gauge wires causing the headlight switch to overload and cutting off. If no Halogens then could be your headlight switch.
Not to sound stupid, but I am not sure. I am running the lights that came in the truck when I got it. How can I tell if they are halogen? Would the local auto zone carry non-halogen lights?
 
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 02:07 PM
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I have never had halogens cause a problem with my old vehicles.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Franklin2
It could be the plug like you say. Your dimmer switch only has 3 terminals correct? Does your original plug have three terminals, but has two wires on one terminal? If that's the case, you can tie the two wires onto the new one wire going to the new plug.

If the headlights flash in a rhythmic pattern, then it might be a loose connection at the headlight switch plug, causing the circuit breaker in the headlight switch to heat up and go on and off. Also make sure you do not have any other lighting tied to the headlight circuit.
Yes it only has 3 terminals. The orginal has 2 sets of 2 wires running to the side terminals and 1 wire running to the top terminal. So if I replace the terminal end of the switch I'll just tie together the wires that go with each other.

They don't really have a rhytmic flash to them. Kind of random. It seems like they are okay for a short time and then if left on for awhile they will flash on and off at various times. Sometimes they flash on and off a few quick times and then again other times they stay off for a short period of time before coming back on. If I hit/kick the floor switch it sometimes helps to get them to come back on if they go out though.
 

Last edited by Franklin2; Feb 5, 2008 at 05:30 PM.
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 02:35 PM
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They have Halogen written on glass.

I have Halogens in my 65 Mustang with no problems, but my 71 F350 has some kind of problem with headlights and someone else on here suggested it may be the Halogens. I really need to troubleshoot my problem more as I thought it was a bad ground on radiator support. Seems to be on hi beam only. Probably change out the old floor switch.
 

Last edited by Franklin2; Feb 5, 2008 at 05:30 PM.
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by merlynr
They have Halogen written on glass.

I have Halogens in my 65 Mustang with no problems, but my 71 F350 has some kind of problem with headlights and someone else on here suggested it may be the Halogens. I really need to troubleshoot my problem more as I thought it was a bad ground on radiator support. Seems to be on hi beam only. Probably change out the old floor switch.
That's what I was thinking when you said that. I have a 65 Mustang with halogens too, with no problems. I think I even had them in a 57 chevy I had with no problems.

Back to the problem, if they do no flash in a pattern, I think you should pursue replacing the plug going to the dimmer switch.
 
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Old Feb 6, 2008 | 11:13 AM
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Thanks, I'll check that plug out. Don't drive the 71 at nite much, just hauling gravel/wood etc. during the daytime. thanks Dave

Merlyn R
 
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Old Feb 6, 2008 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Franklin2
Back to the problem, if they do no flash in a pattern, I think you should pursue replacing the plug going to the dimmer switch.
Well I drove the truck last night and the lights only cut out once for about 2-3 seconds. Total drive time last night was 30 mins. When the cut out I kicked the button lightly and that got them to come back on. So I am thinking it has to be the plug going into the dimmer. I am going to order one today.
 
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